Mixing device and clamps useful therein

Abstract

A mixing device for mixing first and second materials, including a container (2) for receiving the first material and having an inlet port (10) and an outlet port (12), a flexible tube (14) having one end connected to the inlet port (10), a cap (16) secured to the opposite end of the flexible tube (14) for attachment to a second container (4) receiving the second material, and a clamp carried by the flexible tube (14) and normally pinching the flexible tube closed, but being manually openable to permit, when the cap (16) has been attached to the second container (4), the addition of the second material in the first container to the first material in the second container and mixing of the two materials together in the first container (2).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A mixing device for mixing first and second materials, comprising: a container for receiving said first material and having an inlet port and an outlet port;   a flexible tube having one end connected to said inlet port;   a cap secured to the opposite end of said flexible tube for attachment to a second container receiving said second material;   and a clamp carried by said flexible tube and normally pinching said flexible tube closed, but being manually openable to permit, when said cap has been attached to said second container, the addition of the second material in said first container to said first material in said second container and mixing of the two materials together in said first container, wherein said clamp is a slide clamp which includes an indicator element which indicates whenever said clamp has been once opened.   
     
     
       2. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein said clamp includes a severable element which is severed when the clamp is opened thereby preventing reclosing of the clamp. 
     
     
       3. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein said slide clamp is formed with a slot slidably receiving said flexible tube; said slot including a narrow section which pinches said flexible tube closed when receiving the flexible tube, and a wide section which opens said flexible tube when receiving same; said indicator element being carried by said wide section of the slot and being ruptured by said flexible tube when the flexible tube is received within said wide section of the slot. 
     
     
       4. The mixing device according to claim 3, wherein said indicator element is a membrane covering said wide section of the slot and ruptured when the slide clamp is moved to receive the flexible tube in said wide section of the slot. 
     
     
       5. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein said clamp is a hinge clamp integrally formed of plastic with two parts hinged together to either a closed position pinching said flexible tube closed, or to an open position opening said flexible tube. 
     
     
       6. The mixing device according to claim 5, wherein said hinge clamp further includes locking elements which are severed when the two parts are first moved from their closed positions to their open positions. 
     
     
       7. The mixing device according to claim 6, wherein said locking elements include a barb joined to one part by a first severable web, and a socket joined to the other part by a second severable web, such that the barb is non-removably received within said socket when the two parts are in their closed positions, requiring severing of said webs in order to open the two parts, thereby preventing reclosing of the two parts. 
     
     
       8. The mixing device according to claim 7, wherein said one part includes two barbs joined to said one part by said first severable web, and said other part includes two sockets joined to said other part by said second severable web. 
     
     
       9. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein said first container is a pliable bag permitting mixing the two materials when introduced therein by kneading the bag. 
     
     
       10. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein said cap includes a cannula communicating with said flexible tube, which cannula automatically pierces a seal in said second container when the cap is attached thereto. 
     
     
       11. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein said flexible tube further includes a break-away valve which is normally closed, but which may be broken away to open the valve.